Azure Virtual Machine setup for algo trading

Question

What is the best configuration for algo trading using TradeStation and MultiCharts platforms from the 2 options below:

• Standard_D2s_v3
• Standard_D4s_v3

Also, can you let me know if I am eligible for the Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows? If yes, what can I do? If not, how can I get it?

Cheers,

Alberto

Answer 1

What specs do you need?
Here are the system requirements for TradeStation and MultiCharts:

• TradeStation System Requirements
• MultiCharts Tech Specs

Based on that I'd shoot for at least:

• Quad core (3 GHz to 3.5 GHz)
• 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM
• SSD

What VM should you choose?
Looking at the system requirements, I would really entertain the idea of a compute optimized VM like the Fsv2 series as the CPU is likely going to be pretty important. Between the two options you listed it sounds like you'll get more out of the Standard_D4s_v3 although I worry about the CPU.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes

What about Azure Hybrid Benefit?
The Azure Hybrid Benefit is designed for enterprise customers:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/hybrid-benefit/faq/

Which licenses are eligible for Azure Hybrid Benefit?
SQL Server and Windows Server licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses. These include:

Windows Server Datacenter edition with Software Assurance.
Windows Server Standard edition with Software Assurance.
SQL Server Enterprise Edition core licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses.
SQL Server Standard Edition core licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses.

If that sounds like something that might be of interest to you, I recommend reaching out to sales as they'll be able to guide you through all of the available options:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/contact-azure-sales/

Additional reading:

• The Robust Trader: Trading Computer Guide (Algo trading, Swingtrading and Daytrading)

Answer 2

Thanks, That was really helpful.

Agree, it seems D4s might not be the right fit for what I have in mind.

But do you reckon I would need a compute optimized VM like the Fsv2 just to run the trades? The idea is to not do anything but trade on the VM and then run all other work (development, optimization, etc.) on my physical workstation.

In that case, what would be the best configuration to run say, 2 TS accounts and 2 MC accounts?

Cheers

Answer 3

Thanks again,

Would the configuration attached (JPEG file) be okay to run, say initially 1 TS account + 1 MC account. Again only to run the trades, not to do any development, optimisation etc.?

Questions here are focused on the specs pricing for:

• 1 F2s v2 (2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM) (3 year reserved), Windows
• Managed disks: SSD - disk size: E2 8GiB
• Storage transactions - 1000 transactions (do I need more or less than a 1,000? and
• Bandwidth - do I need more than 5GB

Cheers,